RHC Information Kit

Today, a number of facilities have acquired the ‘palace’ title through the Hashemite family’s use of them, though they were not originally built for that purpose; among them is the home of Sharif Al Hussein Bin Ali in Aqaba. 

The Aqaba Palace was originally built as a guest house by Aqaba residents, until Sharif Hussein took up residence there upon visiting in 1924 and 1925, until his exile to Cyprus on 17 June 1925.

The palace has been restored and renovated as a museum that relays the history of the Great Arab Revolt. In November 2005, King Abdullah II patronised the raising of the 133m flag of the Great Arab Revolt, situated in front of the Sharif Al Hussein Bin Ali Palace.

This palace takes its name from Dar Al Nadwa, an informal cultural and intellectual forum established by the Hashemites’ ancestor, Qusai Bin Kilab, in the early 7th century.

Completed in 1964, Al Nadwa Palace is nestled on the Royal Court grounds slightly to the south of Basman Palace, whose influence is evident in its external design. It is the fifth royal palace, and was chosen as the residence of the late King Hussein.

The Little Palace is located just north of Raghadan Palace (the “Big” Palace), and it was built immediately after Raghadan as the residence of King Abdullah I; it is separated from Raghadan by a beautiful, small garden.

The rapid expansion of the young state left little room for family life in the halls of Raghadan, hence the Little Palace was built. At a later stage, the Palace also became the home of King Talal Bin Abdullah, and the birthplace of his son, the late King Hussein, who also resided there for a brief time period.

The first palace to be built outside the Royal Court compound, Zahran was constructed in 1957 in an area which was intended as a diplomatic neighborhood in West Amman. Following urban expansions, today Zahran Palace is surrounded by a mix of modern buildings and embassies.  

Zahran, which means blooming flower, is similar to Raghadan in the simplicity and beauty of its architecture; the Palace’s gardens are known for hosting several of Jordan's official Independence Day celebrations. Zahran was the home of Queen Mother Zain Al Sharaf until her passing on 26 April 1994. Zahran became a venue for official ceremonies and social events, such as royal weddings. His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania married in Zahran Palace. 

Built in 1908, the Founding King Palace was originally an administrative building of the Maan Railway Station. His Majesty King Abdullah I used this building in 1920 when he came to the region as deputy of his brother, King Faisal I of Syria, following the Battle of Maysaloun.

This structure became Prince Abdullah's headquarters, named by him as the National Defence Centre, from which he launched the project to secure Jordan's statehood that took him to Amman on 28 February 1921.

Today, the site is being developed as the Palace of the Founding King, to serve as a national museum that relays a crucial part of Jordan's history – from the Great Arab Revolt to the founding of Jordan as a state.

Basman Palace was built in 1950 as headquarters for the Royal Hashemite Court to house the offices of the monarch, as well as the princes and princesses.

King Abdullah I named the new palace Basman, meaning, “smiling and cheerful,” to harmonize with Raghadan. Basman was built in two phases and has undergone several expansions; its design is a blend of traditional Arab and modern architecture.

 As Jordan developed and its government expanded, the Palace was purposed to meet the need for an administrative centre for the country's internal and external affairs, especially after the creation of the post, Minister of the Royal Court. 

Mawa Palace or the "Sanctuary" is the most recently built of the royal palaces, sharing the same hill as Raghadan. Constructed in the 1970s, it was briefly used as a residence, then as offices by various princes and princesses. The name Mawa signifies tranquillity and generosity.

In the early 1980s, Arab ornamentation to the windows and doors, and colourful mosaics were applied to various parts of the structure. One of Mawa's most notable features is a small, open-air, 15x5m mosque, enclosed by a low stone wall. The prayer area's floor and mihrab are also ornamented with Mawa's distinct mosaics.

Located in southern Shouneh in the Jordan Valley, Al Musallah was a winter residence for King Abdullah I; the Palace had earned a reputation as a meeting place for the literati. 

It was named Musallah, meaning a place of prayer, because King Abdullah I would often stop there to hold afternoon or sunset prayers on his way back from performing the noon prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem (50km west of Shouneh). Most notably, the lawn of Musallah was also the scene of an episodic moment in Jordanian history. Here, King Abdullah I, joined by the secretary general of the nascent League of Arab States, Abdul Rahman Hassan Azzam, saw the Arab Legion off to battle on 14 May 1948, on the eve of the first Arab-Israeli War.

Prince Abdullah Bin Al Hussein, May His Soul Rest in Peace, named the palace Raghadan to signify hope and optimisim. Ragahdan means “the very best life,” and Prince Abdullah intended the design to harmonise with Amman’s grand history, architectural simplicity, and splendour, with a touch of inspiration from the Islamic arts of decorations and engravings. Raghadan Palace took three years to build, from 1924 until 1927.

His Majesty King Abdullah I Bin Al Hussein's entourage arrived at the Amman Railway Station in March 1921. Their objective was to establish the country of Jordan, to build institutions, and to reinforce the army, as well to achieve social, educational, and economic goals in a region which had suffered in the past eras. 

Raghadan Palace was the first Hashemite home that served as headquarters for governance, leadership, politics, and foreign policies, as well as a hub for poets and writers.